Chapter 22. The Morning After

Draco's POV

I deposited the still giggly girl onto the crimson couch in our common room, then hurried up the stairs. I walked into her room, attempting not to kill myself by tripping over the horrendous mess on the floor. I found her laptop sitting on the bedside table and was about to snap it shut when I saw a blinking orange bar at the bottom. Curiosity getting the better of me, I clicked.

Lilshorty: Hey cuz… I know you're probably running around having a blast getting ready for the awesome ball you were telling me about, but when you get this, we really need to talk. Nothing happened, just IM me when you get the chance. Have a blast, Grl! You deserve him, so go GET him!

I was completely confused. Who was this person, and what was this screen? Shaking my head, I carried it open down the stairs.

"Hey, what took you so long? I about died of boredom." Hermione winked at me, then scooted to make room on the couch next to her. I sank into the soft cushion and passed her the laptop.

"What is that?" I pointed at the screen, then watched Hermione blush quickly before closing the window.

"Its just an IM from my cousin. Don't worry about her, she's always been a little crazy." She smiled at me, then pulled open the internet thing again. "So how are we going to go about getting everything done for this evening? There are a million decorations that need to be put up and the house elves need to be detailed on how things are supposed to go tonight, and-"

"Don't worry about. I'll take care of it." I stood, then immediately sat back down.

"Draco? Are you alright?"

"Fine." I waved my hand at her and stood. "Just a bit hungry. I'll have a plate sent up for you when I get to the kitchens. I just need to change." I looked down to realize I was still wearing the clothing from last night and it had large, dark dried spots on it. Hermione looked away, her face paling a shade. I walked toward the staircase and hurried up it silently.

Reaching my room, I tore the shirt off and threw it into the fireplace. I set it ablaze before I even realized my wand was in my hand. I then carefully removed my pants and changed into a pair of khakis and a long-sleeved black shirt. It wouldn't do to have anyone see the white bandages, and I made sure the cuffs wouldn't slip to reveal them. I didn't want to deal with the questions. Walking to my dresser, I glared at myself in the mirror. Idiot. A dark voice inside my head hissed at me. She knows how weak you are now. She will use it to destroy you. The voice sounded like my father. I ignored it, concentrating on my face and the shaving charm. As I was rubbing my pale, chiseled jaw, the mirror whistled at me. I glared at it again and ran a brush through my hair, returning it to its usual immaculate state.

"I am Draco Malfoy. No one will destroy me unless I let them." I told the mirror, the voice in my head, and myself.

All three knew I was lying.

Hermione's POV

I hadn't expected his comment to frazzle my nerves so badly. I didn't think it would bother me, the thought of him-

My mind wouldn't let me finish the thought. I pulled up my list of things to be done today on the laptop, then accio'd a quill and parchment. I busied myself with dividing up the list between the two of us and was surprised to find Draco standing in front of me when I looked up. He looked completely put together, including the blank look in his eyes. Nothing remained of the man I had laughed with in the infirmary this morning, or the completely helpless one I had found the night before. I coughed to clear my throat.

"Here's what you can do. Its mostly running around getting things set. I'll supervise the decorations for the Great Hall if you can round up the Slytherin and Ravenclaw prefects. I'll head to the Gryffindor common room and Ginny will be able to get the Hufflepuffs." I babbled while he stared at me.

"That's fine." He reached for the list, but pulled it out of my hand quickly when our fingers touched. "I'll meet you in the Great Hall later then." He said and he was gone. I sighed and shook my head. I shook my head, then wrote a quick e-mail to Gwen telling her I'd meet her online the next day then closed my laptop. I accio'd my crutches to myself, suddenly glad I had spent so much time with Harry on the spell all those years ago. It was definitely paying off now. Glancing over my list, I heaved a sigh and got to my feet.

Clomping out the door, I headed for the Gryffindor common room but paused before turning the corner to the tower hall when I heard a heated discussion going on in the hall.

"It's not my fault you've been such a prat." A female voice, sounding very angry.

"I told you I was sorry." A very familiar male voice that sounded very remorseful.

"Sorry won't cut it this time. I've tired of your sneaking around behind my back and all the lies."

"I haven't lied to you!"

"No, but you've certainly managed to omit quite a few important details."

"Ginny, I'm sorry-"

"I'm not interested in your excuses anymore, Harry. I've told you before. I'm not going to stand for it any longer. If you really did love me, you would tell me what you were up to instead of sneaking around after hours with my crazy brother." She sounded like her mother.

"But Gin-"

"No, Harry. No excuses. I want a straight answer. What have you and my brother been up to?"

"It's supposed to be a surprise." He mumbled and I imagined him scuffing the floor with his beat-up trainer.

"A surprise for 'Mione. She's been so out of it lately, Ron and I were hoping-" He dropped off as I came around the corner, bright smile on my face.

"Hey! Just the two I was looking for." I smiled at them, Harry blushed and Ginny gave me an awkward hug.

"Hey, 'Mione. How's the ankle?" Harry asked, still pink-cheeked.

"It's alright. I'll be able to get off these stupid crutches for the night I think so I don't give myself away in costume." I smiled.

"Anything we can do to help?" Ginny seemed eager to get away and I quickly sent her over to the Hufflepuff tower.

"What about me?"

"You, Mr. Potter, get to get Ron, then meet me down in the Great Hall. We have a LOT of decorations to put up and," I glanced at my watch, "not a lot of time to put them up in if we're going to have all this ready and be able to get in costume in time." Harry snapped to mock attention and saluted me.

"Sir, yes, sir." He said forcefully, then executed a precise turn and 'marched' back to the portrait of the Fat Lady. I laughed and headed for the kitchens to detail the house elves and to get something to eat. I was suddenly starving.

Authors note: So I went away to college, and lost all time (and inclination) to write for quite a long time. A block of sorts, I suppose. I don't know how much farther this will go, I've begun to feel that I've grown out of a lot of it, sadly. Still, I just finished two amazing books by Stephenie Meyer (Twilight and New Moon- Go read them) and felt the sudden urge to write something. I wont make any promises, but here is another chapter. I believe there will be one more, then the ball, but I'm not certain if all hell will break out after or if there will be a chapter in between. shrugs We shall both have to wait to see what flows out of the end of my pen.

If you are still reading this, I thank you. And many thanks to the reviewers who have stumbled across my story and enjoyed my mad ramblings. I'm glad you enjoy it, and I'm sorry for having made you wait so long.

K